Kimberly Timmons Anderson

Kimberly Timmons Anderson—artist, librarian, wife, mother, grandmother, and Jabber Walker extraordinaire—died on December 13, 2024, after a three-month battle with glioblastoma. She was 69.

 Born in Monett, Missouri, in April 1955, Kimberly was immersed in the importance of education from an early age. Her father, James Timmons, was a professor emeritus of educational leadership at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas, and her mother, Susie Timmons, was an educator and writer. From James and Susie, Kimberly inherited a deep sense of lifelong learning—a passion she would share with family, friends, teachers, and students for years to come. 

 Kimberly began her own educational journey one block from the Pittsburg State campus, where she grew up. She attended Horace Mann and College High Laboratory Schools, then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in art education from Pittsburg State. Later in life, she focused her creativity on drawing, painting, and collage. She worked as an art teacher in Kansas public schools before completing her master’s in library science at Emporia State University. This degree, combined with her love of learning, took Kimberly to Salt Lake City, Utah, Anchorage, Alaska, and Springfield, Illinois before she returned to Kansas to provide youth services to the Johnson County Public Library system. 

 She married Danny Anderson in 1997, and with her two children they made their new home in Lawrence, Kansas. In Lawrence, she served the Lawrence Public School system as a substitute librarian and teacher and volunteered at numerous elementary and high schools in the area. She established a program to provide library experiences to pre-school children from low-income families, and she volunteered at Small World, an English-language acquisition program for international women and children.

 Kimberly also participated actively in the life of the University of Kansas where her spouse, Danny Anderson, was a faculty member and administrator, and where her children, Charles and Julia graduated. Fond of both words and her natural environment, Kimberly was an active member of the “Jabber Walkers” walking group at the university, where she nurtured relationships and mentorships with other women..

 In 2015, Kimberly joined Danny on an entirely new adventure: Danny was selected as the 19th president of Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and Kimberly stepped into the role of first lady with grace and excitement. She engaged warmly with faculty, staff, students, and neighbors on her regular morning and evening walks through campus and the Monte Vista neighborhood. She served on the steering committee for Trinity’s 150th Anniversary celebration, and she opened her home at 150 Oakmont to numerous campus events and traditions, including as host for the Trinity University Women’s Club. Kimberly’s partnership with Danny was essential in leading Trinity through the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 In 2022, Kimberly and Danny retired to Redlands, California to be near their two children and welcome the birth of their granddaughter, Lily. Of all the roles in her life, being a mother and grandmother were the most important; they gave her the greatest joy. Kimberly often remarked about the good fortune of having everything she wanted in life with her adult children and grandchild living within walking distance. Weekly Sunday dinners, family gatherings, and time caring for her new granddaughter filled her heart with the spirit of family, connection, and love she fostered through her life. She also found camaraderie with the Redlands Chapter of the American Association of University Women, where she was active in groups focused on world events, contemporary politics, literature, and hiking.

 Kimberly’s life was encouraging to anyone who knew her, with many remarking that she had a rare kind of strength. She was a gracious host with a sharp wit and fast sense of humor, and she offered positive encouragement for all in her life.

 Kimberly is survived by her husband, Danny J. Anderson (Redlands, California); her son, Charles Timmons Guard (Redlands, California); her daughter, Julia Kay Guard, son-in-law Matt Patterson, and granddaughter Lilia Guard Patterson (Redlands, California); her brother, Kyle Timmons, and sister-in-law, Alla Timmons (Anchorage, Alaska); and her niece Patrice Timmons (Flagstaff, Arizona). She is preceded in death by her parents, James Harmon Timmons and Marietta Sue “Susie” Timmons. 

 A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Redlands United Church of Christ, 168 Bellevue Avenue, Redlands, California 92373. Interment will occur at a later date in the Natural Burial Area of the historic Oak Hill Cemetery, 1605 Oak Hill Avenue, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

 In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Kimberly’s memory to one of the following organizations, which she strongly supported:

• The Sierra Club, an organization dedicated to honoring and protecting our natural environment.You may designate gifts in memory of Kimberly Anderson, with notification to dr.danny.anderson@gmail.com.
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• The KU Cancer Center, via KU Endowment. Give online or via mail to 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Mail Stop 3012, Kansas City, KS 66160, to benefit brain cancer research. Please indicate that donations are for the Kimberly Anderson memorial.
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• The Danny and Kimberly Anderson Prize for Excellence in Teaching at Trinity University, recognizing Trinity faculty members in their mentorship of research students. Gotu.us/anderson-prize.
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• AAUW- Redlands Chapter Scholarships. Checks can be written to AAUW Redlands, with "Mission Fund in honor of Kimberly Anderson" in the memo line. The address is AAUW Redlands, PO Box 7678 Redlands, CA 92375-0678.